International Moth Lowrider National Championships 2025 at Stone Sailing Club - Overall

It was a cold and grey River Blackwater that greeted the competitors for the third and final day of the Lowrider Moth National Championship but at least there was breeze.

However, at the morning briefing, Race Officer Neil Fulcher predicted that the North Easterly 10 kt would swing further to the North and die before the possibility of an afternoon sea breeze becoming established. Given that Neil had gotten all the previous weather calls spot on there were few interested in arguing with him! The message was clear, sail early because there may not be anything else until after the afternoon cut-off date.

The Race Team worked to get things under way as quickly as possible which allowed for an on time 10am start, though this would catch out a few late arrivals.

This was a shame as they missed what would be the best race of the weekend, a close fought affair in a wind that stayed reasonably true and steady in pressure. Even with the lighter airs this would again be something of a promotional procession for the Prowlers, a new development within the low rider fleet that seem to possess a clear speed differential across all of the wind spectrum. Even the previously dominant Hungry Tiger and Axemen designs would be left in their wake, of course it helped that despite a raised 'degree of difficulty' the Prowlers were being superbly sailed.

Paul Hignett would go on to record yet another win, a result that would see him top the event overall, a worthy winner of the 2025 Championship.

Divison 1 and overall winner, Paul Hignett - Moth Lowrider Nationals at Stone day 3 - photo © Dougal Henshall

Back in Division 2 the battle of the Magnum 6s, that had been such a feature of the 2024 event continued with Ian Marshall holding the advantage over Lyndon Beasley, but the two of them were too close to allow Ian to get more boats in between them which was his only chance of improving his overall standings.

For Division 3, Graham Cooper in the Mistral, now recovered after his before racing test sail in Ian Ridge's Magnum 6 (this involved some swimming) continued his control the others, though there was nowhere enough wind to put a smile on the face of the scow sailors.

Division 1 and the overall championship may now have been decided but elsewhere it was all still to play for and with the wind still holding to 7-9kt, the Race Team hurried to relay the course and get the next start away. The first beat and reach seemed okay, then the wind was noted to be softening with some big shifts creeping in.

A number of helms soon decided that coffee and a bacon bap back at the club was a far more exciting prospect, but they would miss an intriguing race. Out front it would be yet another Prowler in the hands of 'Uncle' Nigel Williams who would beat champion elect Paul Hignett to the line. Division 2 would be where the best of the action was, as the two leading Magnums were once again joined at the hip with Ian Marshall again leading Lyndon Beasly and now the math would come into play if the results stayed like this.

Divison 2 winner, Lyndon Beasley - Moth Lowrider Nationals at Stone day 3 - photo © Dougal Henshall

Then, in a fading breeze, Lyndon would hold on just 100m more before tacking, but in the tricky conditions this was just enough separation to get him the shift that brought him to the mark ahead of his close rival and that was that - as Beasley protected his lead through to the finish to take Division 2 overall. Division 3 was something of an anti-climax, as Graham Cooper was one who had retired to the shore, leaving Henry Walker to win in the Skol but Graham had been a convincing winner overall, showing good boatspeed across all of the conditions.

The signs were still that a third race could be held but the Race Team know their local conditions and sent everyone back to the shore which was an inspired call as by the time the last boats had reached the beach the wind had vanished completely with little in the way of any prospect of a sea breeze given the 8/10th cloud cover.

Overall, Stone Sailing Club are to be congratulated for cleverly hosting what is actually quite a tricky event to run given the wide disparity between boats in the three divisions, from the Prowlers to a Skol. This has to be one of the few championships were some much importance is placed on the handicap results and post the event these will be reviewed, but on the evidence to date the Class are well on top of the issues and are using both first past the post and handicap results in tandem to great effect.

The likelihood is for the 2026 Championship to move to a major location but with more boats being found and the prospect of new all carbon Magnums becoming available, 2025 into 2026 look to be an exciting time for the Lowriders - and that is before more detailed thoughts start to focus on a World event in Perth, Western Australia at the end of 2026.

Divison 3 winner, Graham Cooper - Moth Lowrider Nationals at Stone day 3 - photo © Dougal Henshall

Overall Results on Handicap: